Wow, who knew you could be this nervous introducing yourself to the bloggers that you have admired for almost a year? I’d like to start by saying thank you for all the support and for the fantastic blogs I enjoy reading every day. I have already worked with a bunch of you and have enjoyed every experience. Without this group, I would definitely not have advanced as quickly and many of you have personally given me a ton of smiles along the way. Thank you!
My Blogger Beginning
I have always loved budgeting and almost anything related to personal finance, but I didn’t actually know what a personal finance blog was until September 2009. That is when I came across Frugal Confessions in the Houston Chronicle online. I was immediately hooked. I followed a few links to My Open Wallet and then discovered Free Money Finance. The rest is history – I started reading more than 20 blogs a week and quickly got pulled into the amazing worlds that each of you create. I finally found an online haven that was just perfect for a money geek like me.
Hi, my name is Crystal, and I am a personal finance blog addict. :-)
The Start of BFS
I could have stopped there and stayed a commenter forever, but I found that my comments were just getting longer and longer every day. I even caught myself writing responses that were larger than comment areas allowed.
My most emotional responses were towards ultra-frugal posts that seemed to ignore the importance of balance. I do not make my own laundry detergent and do not consider myself stupid for wasting those 17 cents a load. I don’t see anything wrong with making your own detergent, but I disagreed with the judgment that seemed to ooze from certain posts. That was the birth of Budgeting in the Fun Stuff (BFS).
BFS was started on February 20, 2010 to cover the balance between savings, spending, and the fun stuff along the way. I wanted to start an online community and was hoping to draw in the many people who may also be operating a perfectly sane financial life while splurging along the way.
Most of my posts cover our personal budget and spending habits. I also post about ideas for fun activities, personal views on other articles, and host guest posts about almost everything financial. I am having the time of my life!
BFS and the Yakezie
Since joining the Yakezie, BFS has taken off like a squirrel on crack. I started with an Alexa ranking of 8,531,858 on March 18, 2010 and thought that shooting for 200,000 by July 4 was just mildly insane. Little did I know that between this group and the rest of the readers I have, we’d blow that goal out of the water by May 30! Then I decided to go a little crazy and shoot for 100,000 by July 4. Again, BFS readers amazed me and we successfully hit 97,347 by the morning of the deadline!
Despite this main goal being met, I decided to go wild and set a new goal of 75,000 by the end of August. This was seriously a goal made in jest – I didn’t think it could really happen but thought it would be fun to try. BFS was ranked at 71,849 by August 15! I am beyond excited by this progress and am continually blown away by my supporters!
I truly appreciate all of my readers and enjoy my daily commenters more than I imagined was possible. For anybody who may not have met them yet, BFS has a solid core of commenters that make me smile, think, and strive for more. BFS is a big part of my life now and I couldn’t be more proud.
My Non-Blogging Life
The rest of my life consists of my very loving husband, a great group of friends, my very supportive family, and our two cute rescue dogs. I spend my weekdays working in a cubicle, my evenings working on BFS, and my weekends with friends and family. My most recent hobbies are blogging, board gaming, and bingo. I would rather take vacations than buy the latest gadget but I do enjoy cable, DVR, and Netflix streaming through our Wii. I also used to read at least 60 books a year before starting BFS. I am trying to rekindle that habit now that BFS is sailing along and I’m no longer bending over backwards to learn the details of WordPress.
The launch of Yakezie.com coincided very well with a general calm in my life at home. My husband just graduated from grad school and has started his new job, our last car loan was just recently paid off, and my allergy-ridden Pug is finally healthy enough that maintenance drugs are enough to keep him going. This basic calm is so welcome after such a hectic summer.
I’m looking forward to meeting each of you through your own Member Post. Helping each other succeed has been so much fun. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for the Yakezie!
This post is part of the Yakezie Member Post Series. See all member posts here.
Hey Crystal, you introduced me to Yakezie and it’s been great! As you know, you helped answer a lot of my silly blogging questions as I was getting started, so thanks!
Loved reading your story and your rise through the rankings is quite the achievement!
Oh and I’m so glad I don’t make my own laundry detergent!
Hi! I’m so glad I was able to help and seeing you around the blogging world has been fun ever since!
[...] Last week, the Yakezie.com launched it’s website with great response. Today, a few of our members and leaders are formally introducing themselves. Every week for the next few weeks the Yakezie Leaders will talk about how and why they started blogging about personal finance and share their individual stories. Stay tuned for some PF fun! First up, Budgeting in the Fun Stuff. [...]
I remember when you were just starting out. My, how you’ve grown! I think your success story is amazing and look forward to reading more of your posts.
P.S. My husband just started making our own laundry detergent, but he thinks it’s fun! He’s strange. ;)
Thank you so much for the sweet words. Hey, no laundry detergent judging from me, lol. I just judge the judgers, hahaha.
I joined up after watching your progress for months. Thanks!
No prob! You were one of the blogs I was reading before I started blogging, so thanks for laying that little idea track in my head!
I enjoyed reading your member post, Crystal! I agree with you that we have to find balance in budgeting and finance, but I think there’s room for some of the “extreme” frugal measures if you consciously choose that route and have weighed the benefits/costs. With that said, I think we fail to look at ways to increase our income far too often.
And congratulations on the great success you’ve had rising in the Alexa ranks!
Thanks for the congrats! I agree that extreme frugality can be very useful. I was there myself right out of college. I was only upset that a few extreme frugalites acted like choosing not to follow their suggestions was akin to being stupid…it seemed wrong to assume that everybody needs to cut the same corners.
It’s great to hear more about you. Yours is one of those blogs that I watched grow way faster than I thought possible, you’re amazing. Keep it up!
I agree, Crystal’s blog really rocketed. It’s always amazing and interesting to see cases of those who’ve grown so fast.
Crystal has been very gung-ho and on the ball. She was one of the first to register on Yakezie.com, sign up for the Member Post schedule, and uploaded her Member Post. Very diligent! Thnx Crystal.
Jesse, you good to go for this week? You’ve signed up. If you have trouble logging in or uploading, let us know. Delete cookies, and restart browser to try again.
Best, Sam
Along this line, for anybody having issues uploading or anybody new to WordPress, feel free to email me and I can walk you through it if you’d like! I remember migrating to WordPress and feeling oh-so-overwhelmed…
Thanks for offering. Fellow member @JonDegroff is on Blogger and looking to switch to WP. Perhaps he can seek some of your advice. Thnx.
I have done the Blogger to WP switch three times, and will always start with WP from now on. Let me know if you need help. That is an open offer to any Yakezie’s looking to switch.
Hey Sam, yea I’m good to go. I do my writing outside of WP, I’m done, just haven’t had a chance to upload it there. I’ll have it in asap.
Awwww, thanks!
Great post. I love your writing style and how much your personality comes through in every article you write! You have made tremendous strides with your ranking, so you are a source of inspiration and intimidation at the same time! ;-)
I look forward to your articles and hope that we can work together some day in the future!
I’m sure we will work together since this group has a way of bringing everybody together – I love it. As far as BFS being intimidating, that’s just sweet to say. :-) My Alexa ranking is because other awesome members like you are visiting, not because I’m taking over the web, lol. Thanks for the ego boost though! ;-)
Hmmmm, I wonder why the Tweetmeme button still says zero. Hope this is a caching issue that’s delayed and will eventually pick up all the Tweet count. If anybody has any ideas, do let us know. Thn.
That is very odd. I used the button to send my tweet and it read ’1′. Then I refreshed the page and it went back to ’0′.
Yep, donno what’s up. Maybe it’ll self correct as we got the standard buttons up. Would having just “Share This” be enough you think?
Great introduction! You write so well =) I think my allergy ridden pug and your allergy ridden pug should get together lol.
Yeah, then they can sneeze on each other while trying to bark…seriously, I know I shouldn’t laugh, but it’s hilarious…
Good to meet you Crystal. It is fun to read more about your background. It is like getting to know an old friend for the first time.
I know! I’m looking forward to everybody’s Member Posts!
Writing mine was a little difficult since I didn’t know where to start and felt like I had to set a standard of some sort (yeah – low bar, lol, but it got written, hahaha). :-)
You’ve really taken off in the last few months, BFS! I also think one can draw the line at frugalism somewhere, but to each their own!
It’s nice to get to know the story behind a fellow blogger… and congrats on your success!
Thanks! I think the line of frugalism is ever-changing and definitely personal to each individual. I’m extremely frugal on some things and spend-thrifty on others – it’s all based on priorities, right?
[...] at 6:00 am If you would like to know how and why I started blogging, feel free to check out my Member Post over at Yakezie [...]
BFS – Your success is an inspiration! You have helped me in so many ways, I truly appreciate it.
I really enjoyed your member post. You are a fantastic writer! (Which is obvious based on your enormous success.)
Keep writing my friend!
You are an inspiration to me too lady! Thank you so much for letting me vent and helping me along. :-)
Hi Crystal. What kind of dogs do you have? Mine are a lab and mini Aussie Sheppard.
We have a 12 year-old Dachshund Mutt we adopted 5 years ago and a 7 year-old Pug we adopted in Feb 2009. We had a 2 year old Black Lab for 2007, but she died of bone cancer. The Dachshund is a bossy lady but loyal and laid back in general. The Pug has major allergies but has the sweetest puppy personality ever. :-)
Your two dogs have more energy than I do – I wouldn’t be able to keep up! I don’t think I’ve ever come across a mini Aussie Sheppard before – not a lot of those at the HSPCA I guess (I also volunteered in the big dog section, so I may not have seen one if it isn’t bigger than 40 pounds…).
I’m thinking of getting a Dachsund, Corgie, or French Bulldog myself… but I’m afraid of picking up after them, and their ultimate death :( Did you put your lab down or did s/he just pass away at home one day? So hard to say goodbye!
She had to be put down when she couldn’t walk anymore. It does suck to lose a hairy friend, but I would not have met Mr. Pug if we still had our lab, so I look at dog ownership as meeting a lot of pretty cool personalities in one lifetime. I wouldn’t suggest getting a French Bulldog unless they are middle-aged since the puppies can have a ton of problems. Corgis are pretty awesome and Dachshunds just need to keep their weight down so they won’t have back issues and joint issues due to weight gain. Good luck!
Great intro post, Crystal! As you know, I have enjoyed your blog from back in the million plus Alexa days, and am one of the “regulars” there. I’m glad for you that everyone is discovering your fun blog and look forward to being a part of it as it continues to grow!
Thanks Squirrelers for being one of my regulars! I really enjoy being one of yours as well!
Great post, Crystal! I enjoy what I’ve seen of your blog, and it’s great to get to know a little more about you! Looking forward to following your posts…
Thanks Jon! I saw your introduction in my Yakezie Digest today, so welcome to the group! Hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
Congrats on you amazing accomplishments in such a short time. Keep up the amazing work.
Thanks Evan!
Great post! I’ve enjoyed your blog for months and it’s nice to see a little of the behind-the-blogger!
I do make my own laundry detergent, not because I think $.17 is so costly but because I can make it once every 3 months for a quarter of the price and it works just as well. For my family, it saves about $50 a year for about a half an hour of effort, and it’s worth it to me. I’d rather use that $50 to splurge on something more fun than clean clothes. No judgment for those who love their Tide, though! :)
Hahaha. I’ve heard that making your own detergent is a little like a science experiment with goo, which could be fun. I’m glad you’ve been enjoying BFS – I’m enjoying The Saved Quarter as well! I hope you have a great time going back to college!
Loved getting to know you a little more, Crystal! I can’t believe you just started blogging this year. I have about seven months on you and don’t know half as much.
I love books as well and have been having a hard time balancing reading them with blogging. Let me know the secret when you get it, okay?
Oh no, I may have a good Alexa ranking, but I surprise myself daily with how little I know daily. :-)
I’ve started listening to audio books downloaded from our library during my commute – I’m slowly catching up on the books I’ve skipped for the last 6 months…
Great introduction! Congratulations on your excellent Alexa ranking! :0)
Thanks!
Great post to kick things off. I have been enjoying your blog and commenting for a while now and am glad Yakezie helped me find you :).
I’m glad I met you through this group too!
Thanks for sharing Crystal. Opening up like this in front of the large group is difficult. (as I found out today!) Keep it going, and continue to have fun!
That is the plan! It was great to read your post too!
Thanks Mrs. Accountability!
Crystal, You did a great job! Kudos for going FIRST! As a PF blogger and all around interested (nosey) person, I really enjoy the personal background. Happy to have you as a colleague :)
Hi Barb! Happy to work with you too! As a fellow nosey person, I’m looking forward to the next weeks too.
Great job on your member post! It is hard to go first and I congratulate you on your bravery!
Thanks so much! It was actually fun!
nice post. congrats on your alexa ranking leaps and bounds – that’s fantasic :)
Thank you Charlie! I’m shooting for 50,000 by Halloween now…insanity is okay, right?
[...] is kind of like a popularity contest and if you’re someone like Budgeting in the Fun Stuff, you’re the hot new girl that just transferred to your high school. All the boys want to [...]
Wow Crystal, you are going spectacular (I bet even google is impressed) with the Alexa part of the initial challenge! I missed this post on Monday (I was still recouping from vacation).
I really enjoy reading your site, because you have your head on straight and know what’s important in life! I truly believe that a balance approach it the best approach!
As you well know, I really enjoy reading your blog!
Keep up the great work!!!
As you know, I really enjoy Money Reasons too! I’m really glad we “met” up!!!
Wow Crystal, you are doing spectacular (I bet even google is impressed) with the Alexa part of the initial challenge! I missed this post on Monday (I was still recouping from vacation).
I really enjoy reading your site, because you have your head on straight and know what’s important in life! I truly believe that a balance approach it the best approach!
As you well know, I really enjoy reading your blog!
Keep up the great work!!!
BFS “…has taken off like a squirrel on crack”. LOL! That is a great job in the rise of your Alexa ranking. Very impressive and in such a short time. I think blogging personal finance is one true way to help stay inline with acheiving your goals. Keep up the great work!
Thanks Moneyfunk! That’s my plan! And I’m glad you thought that line was funny – I was pretty proud of myself when I came up with it, lol. :-)
Hey Crystal, great first member post! It’s cool to learn more about you. :)
I’m looking forward to finding out more about my favorite bloggers (like you) too!
BFS, it was nice to learn a little bit more about you. Keep up the good work.
Thanks Jeff!
Ha – Crystal you ARE an addict, but I have to admit I have really admired your growth. You have a great site, write consistently (and consistently well) and have skyrocketed in the rankings.
Like our offline email convos, I think you and I derive the same energy from writing and would prefer to blog more than actually work!
Oh yeah…if I can get BFS to make more than $30,000 a year consistently (like 2 or 3 years in a row), I’m blogging full time. I enjoy it way more than any other “job” I could ever dream of. :-)
Keep up the good work, Crystal! I have really enjoyed reading your blog. :-)
Best,
Len
Len Penzo dot Com
I am so glad I finally discovered Len Penzo dot com, you are hilarious! I really think I was extremely lucky to ever come across the Yakezie challenge and end up finding a whole group of supportive, really awesome bloggers like you. :-)
Crystal, congrats on the meteoric rise in such a short amount of time. That’s not only a testament to how hard you’ve worked, but also you’re awesome content. Keep up the great work! Looking forward to interacting more with you and learning more about your background! Thanks for giving us a little insight here.
Thanks Andrew! I look forward to getting to all of you better too. I might be a big commenter, but I have barely cracked the beginnings of our massive clan, lol. I’ll see you around the forums I am sure! :-)
Definitely!
[...] Budgeting in the Fun Stuff is also a staff writer at Sweating the Big Stuff as well as a member of Yakezie Personal Finance. [...]
Hi again, Crystal. I’ve been out of the loop for quite a while now, but I now have time to read through all the Yakezie member’s posts. Who better to start at than you. I really admire your climb through the ranks. I see you breaking $2000 a month from blogging revenues in no time.
Romeo